“Good work out there.” Commander Darren said. “Minor injuries were sustained, but it was a job well done.”

  There were murmurs around our mates.

  “Don't worry, you'll all get a chance to go out into the field. It's just a matter of time, as well as the suitable opponent.”

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Keisha fidgeting. She wanted to speak, but she was having doubts about it.

  I asked her about it as we walked back to our rooms.

  “I just wanted to ask about…”

  “Mason?”

  “Yeah…” We stopped in front of her room.

  “Give it some time, maybe a couple of days; they're probably looking for him.” I placed my hand on her shoulder.

  “Alright…” She wasn't convinced, but she let it slide.

  Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and still we heard no word concerning him.

  About five months later, team Delvix returned from a scouting mission. Commander Darren did a rundown and analysis, and then he dismissed us.

  “Now if that's all…”

  “Commander.”

  Keisha? I turned to my side. She stepped out. “What about Mason?”

  There was silence. I was surprised that she spoke up.

  Commander Darren wasn't fazed, like he'd expected the question. “We're working on it.”

  “But it's been months; shouldn't we go back to universe twenty? You know, retrace our steps or something? We need to…”

  “Go out there and do what exactly?” Commander Darren asked, “You want me to send out the first-ranked team for a suicide rescue mission?”

  “But…”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “If Mason is not there, and you all end up dying or worse…”

  What could be worse than death?

  “...then what happens?”

  “I know it sounds…”

  “We are doing our best to locate Mason. But we can't have you risking your lives to find a clue on that planet.”

  Keisha gritted her teeth, but she kept silent.

  “Now listen up!! Universe nineteen is far too dangerous to go back to. Any squad member found in Universe Nineteen will result in their squad leader being held accountable. This is an order!!” Commander Darren stared us down.

  I guess that's that then…

  Later that night….

  It was eleven pm. I was in the training room when I heard noises. It was odd because I'm usually the only one who's up at this hour. I decided to investigate, so I followed the sounds.

  I saw two figures walking in the darkness. There's no way…

  “Keisha?” I called out.

  They stopped.

  “Where are you two going? Liv?” I placed my hand on my forehead. “Don't tell me…”

  “We have to try.”

  “What if he's not there?” I said, “Commander Darren said we'll be in trouble if we go ahead. We might get ourselves killed, and we still won't find Mason.”

  “I don't care.” Keisha said, “I'm going to find him.” She continued walking with Liv right behind her.

  “Ugh…wait!!” I bit my lip. “I'm coming with you.” I walked up to them.

  We were silent as we walked to the hangar.

  “You think Levi’s going to catch on?” Liv asked as we approached our jet.

  “Let's hope not," I muttered and opened the door. “Damn it…”

  He was there.

  Standing right behind the door.

  “You guys…going somewhere?” Levi asked. We were all caught off guard, so any lies would have been pointless anyway.

  “We have to find Mason," Keisha said.

  Levi sighed. “Why?”

  “What do you mean why?! He's our friend!" Keisha yelled.

  “Doesn't seem like it." Levi glared at her. “You're acting like you don't know him.”

  “What?”

  “You think Mason would want us risking our lives to find him? What makes you think that he's even going to be there? Considering you guys were beat up pretty badly, do you actually think Varko is still going to be around there? It's been ages, and there's probably not going to be any sign of Mason. There's a ninety-nine percent chance that Mason isn't even in universe twenty anymore.”

  “Damn…”

  “Yeah, I prefer when he keeps his eye closed.”

  “Then I'll bet my life on that one percent to find him there.” Keisha clenched her fist and walked up to Levi.

  Levi was unfazed. “You're not going anywhere. Mason isn't a baby; he's capable of handling himself.”

  “For how long?!" Keisha yelled. Levi reached out to her and hugged her. She cried in his arms as he consoled her. I looked over to Liv, and she nodded. We went out of the hangar and diverted to our individual rooms.

  Early the next morning, as early as five, I went over to Keisha’s room. I knocked on the door once before entering. She was on her bed, still sleeping.

  I sat on the bed next to her and watched her. Her eyes had bags under them, her usual cheery color was gone from her face, and she looked completely different from months ago even as she slept. I sighed and turned to the door.

  Levi was there.

  “Kinda sad, isn't it?” He sighed. “Her closest friend is gone.”

  “I don't want to hear it dude.” I stopped him. I wasn't going to spend my minutes listening to him.

  “Why did you give in immediately when she said she was going back?”

  I ignored him.

  “You were there when the commander gave the order. Yet you didn't change her mind. You gave in…”

  “I understood her feelings.” Like a…

  “... True leader, huh?” Levi grinned. “Pathetic. A true leader prioritizes the team ahead of one member.”

  “So you're okay with Keisha’s feelings being hurt?” I looked at him.

  “Hurt? No. Keisha feels it's her fault that Mason's gone. She needs to understand that it's not her fault. Things beyond our control can happen; I mean, at the end of the day, we're just teenagers. Any ‘hurt’ she's feeling now is temporary. She needs to give herself time to heal.” Levi folded his arms. “Just like you should have done.”

  I felt my eye twitch.

  “You still blame yourself, don't you?” Levi frowned. “‘If only I was faster,' ‘If only I was quick enough.' Lame.”

  I dashed towards him and sliced my dagger in rage. Levi sharply turned his head and looked at my hand. I couldn't move it…

  Levi’s gaze was fixated on my arm. I tried prying it away, but it was stuck in midair. Tch!! It's his power all right… I relaxed and drew back. Levi noticed and looked away. I could move my arm again, so I sheathed my blade.

  “So, you ditched your blindfold, huh?” I muttered.

  “C’mon, we’re not kids anymore. See you at training later.” Levi walked out of the room. I exhaled and turned to Keisha who was still out cold.

  Mason's rescue operation was over before it started.